Photographic copying apparatus with illumination correction means

ABSTRACT

A photographic copier in which originals copied at a copying station are first examined to determine the type of corrections to be applied to the illuminating source used in copying the original. The corrections are applied by operating personnel at an examining station in front of the copying station. A transport unit with buffer moves the originals from the examining station to the copying station. An information memory stores the corrections to be applied to the originals, until the respective original arrives at the copying station and is in position to be copied.

United States Patent [1 1 Steinberger et al.

Oct. 30, 1973 PHOTOGRAPI'IIC COPYING APPARATUS WITH ILLUMINATIONCORRECTION MEANS [75] Inventors: Siegfried Steinberger, Munich; ErichNagel, Anzing; Werner Von Stein, Hamburg, all of Germany [73] Assignee:Afga-Gevaert AG, Leverkusen,

Germany 221 Filed: Sept. 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 180,656

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 7 Sept. 18, 1970 Germanyl. P 2046 104.5

[52] 11.8. CI. 355/38, 355/41 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 27/78 [58] Field ofSearch 355/38, 41, 42

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,516,741 6/1970 Thaddey355/38 X 7/1970 Bowker et al 355/38 X 9/1969 Stasey 355/38 X PrimaryExaminer-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard A. WintercornAttorney-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT A photographic copier inwhich originals copied at a copying station are first examined todetermine the type of corrections to be applied to the illuminatingsource used in copying the original. The corrections are applied byoperating personnel at an examining station in front of the copyingstation. A transport unit with buffer moves the originals from theexamining station to the copying station. An information memory storesthe corrections to be applied to the originals, until the respectiveoriginal arrives at the copying station and is in position to be copied.

20 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SIEGFRIEDSTEINBERGER BY ERICH NAGEL WERNER von STEIN Patented Oct. 30, 1973 3Sheets-Sheet 2 MINNEDQQ \G luhbwik 23 wv Y 2 m QWSQQTWGQQR mm m mINVENTOR SIEGFRIED STElNBERGER ERICH NAGEL WERNER von STEIN fill/am & f/b BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to aphotographic copying arrangement, and in particular to a roller type ofcopying machine having a preexamining station in front of the copyingstation suitable for examining a plurality of originals arranged on astrip or band between the stations. An arrangement is provided forapplying corrections corresponding to particular properties of theindividual originals, with respect to illumination characteristics thatare carried out automatically. A memory arrangement stores thecorrections for an original inserted in the preexamining station andthen transfers the information to an illumination arrangement for thecopying process.

Copying apparatus of the preceding species have shown themselves to beparticularly useful for producing colored copies in which the copyinglight density of the individual colors is controlled, in accordance withthe neutral grey principle, so that uncolored grey is essentiallyobtained in the copy. In view of the difficulty of distinguishing thedesired colors from undesirable colored background or color noise,corrections are employed which take into account the particularproperties of the originals. The continually increasing speed of thecopying process through more sensitive copying material, higher lightsource intensity and more rapid machine handling of the copyingmaterials, setting of the corrections in the conventional manner becomesincreasingly more difficult. For example, it is difficult to examine anoriginal and apply the required corrections within a second of timing.Upon further increasing the copying rate, such setting of corrections isno longer possible, even though such corrections are still required fromthe quality point of view.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide anarrangement through which corrections can still be applied when highspeeds are used in copying so that two originals may be copied persecond. The present invention provides,'thereby, a film strip upon whicha whole row of originals requiring substantially similar illuminationand thereby substantially similar corrections, are situated. A largernumber of originals requiring no corrections are also present. With thisarrangement, the examining of originals can be shortened, when onlythose originals are examined which require correction.

In accordance with the present invention, the preexamining station forthe copying apparatus is adapted for receiving a larger number ofuniformly spaced originals. Correction inputs are provided incorrespondence to the number of originals, and these correction inputsare connected to a memory which stores the correction valuescorresponding to the insertion of the originals into the copyingstation, and the corrections are applied to the illuminating controlarrangement.

With the apparatus of the present invention, operating personnel canhandle a larger number of originals as, for example, ten originals canbe simultaneously examined while stationary, andthe corrections can beapplied wherever required. Since, however, only asubstantially smallpercentage of originals as, for example, 20 percent require correction,sufficient time is available for the examining person to processoriginals at the examining station within 5 seconds. Aside from this,there is less tension on the part of the operating personnel since aresting period occurs between a short phase requiring correction and thenext strip of originals arriving at the examining station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide a photographic copying arrangement in which a train of originalscan be passed to a copying station and the illumination at the copyingstation can be varied as a function of various characteristics of theoriginals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement asset forth which may be operated with minimum personnel in an economicaland reliable manner.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by providing aphotographic copying arrangement in which the illuminating means forilluminating the originals at the copying station is controlled as afunction of various characteristics of the originals to be copied. Theoriginals enter an examining station where operating personnel scan theoriginals to determine what corrections or compensations are to beapplied to the illuminating means for obtaining proper copies of theoriginals. An original transport arrangement is provided for carrying anumber of the originals between the examining station and the copyingstation. The corrections applied by the operating personnel at theexamining station are transferred to the illuminating means at thecopying station for each original. A memory device connected to thecorrection input arrangement provided for the operating personnel,serves to store the corrections until the original is present at thecopying station and is in position to be copied.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic functionaldiagram and shows the essential elements interconnected in accordance.with the principle of the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing andparticularly to FIG. 1, a number of original or masters to be copied areapplied to a roll 1 which unreels into the strip 2. The originals ormasters to be copied are provided with indexing markings in the form of,for-example, perforations which are arranged in relation to the locationof the image field. The spacing between the individual originals ofmasters on the strip 2 is made substantially constant for reasons to bedescribed. When two different films are to be spliced for the purpose ofobtaining a longer or continuous strip, such splicing is performed sothat the perforations maintained their-original pattern as if the filmwere continuous at the splice. The strip 2 is unreeled-or taken from theroll 1' by a springloaded pivotal arrangement 3, and deflected by theroll 4 so that it passes through a sensing arrangement 5. From there,the strip passes through a preexamining stage or path 6. The sensingarrangement 5 have the capability of sensing the markings in conjunctionwith the' images or pictures on the strip 2, as well as the markingassociated with a spliced position. Such sensing may be accomplishedthrough either photoelectric or mechanical means. The construction ofsuch sensing arrangement is knownin the art and is for this reason notfurther described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preexamining station 6 is essentially inthe form of a rectangular box which has a recess 6a at the rear of itsupper surface, for the purpose of guiding the strip 2. The recess 60 isprovided with holding devices6b and 6cforthe side edges of the film. Atransparent element 6d is further provided. The latter serves as atransparentcovering element under which a tube-shaped illuminatingelement 7 is situated. The light from this element 7 is distributedsubstantially uniformly upon the entire length of the film strip 2alongthe station 6, through the reflectors 8, 9 and 10 shown in FIG. .2.From the viewpoint of the operating personnel, a number of input devicesare provided for carrying out various corrections on the original ormasters to be copied. For example, five exposure keys 9, 10, 11, 12, 13are provided for each original. One of these correction keys serves, forexample, as a nullifying key by which the original is not copied whenthe key is actuated. The other four keys can be used, therefore, toselectivelyapply higher or lower corrections having such magnitudestages as +4, +2, 2 and 4. The keys can also be used for establishingdensity corrections.

The actual copying apparatus is shown in the right hand portion of FIG.1, in schematic form. Connecting to the preexamining station 6, are apair of transport rolls l4 and 15, which are brought together throughspring action. By driving one of the rolls 15, for example, through. amotor 16 constituting first transport means, thefilm is conveyed ortaken from the station 6 and led. to a buffer storage-means orslacktake-up 17. This device 17 is spring-loaded for this purpose. The motor16 can be started into operation through a control arrangement ofthecopying apparatus, in a manner yet to be described, and then can bestopped through a counting arrangement connected to the sensing device5.

From the take-up device 17, the strip 2 is passed to a deflection roll18 located at the actual copying station 19. At this copying station,the original to be copied is exposed to a light source 20 with reflector21 and condensing lens 22 and objective lens 23. The image istransmitted from the original through this optical arrangement upon alight sensitive copying material or paper 24. The film strip 2 isstopped by stopping the film transport made of the pair of rolls 25, 26by means of the sensing device 27 which senses visual markings on thestrip 2. The strip is guided past the copying window 19, by means of thepair of rolls 25, 26. The driving motor 28 constituting second transportmeans for the rolls 25, 26 is turned on by the control arrangement ofthe copying apparatus after the exposure of the original has beenterminated. The motor is again stopped through the sensing device 27. i

The circuit 29 is known in the art and sets the desired copying lightthrough three individual subtracting color filters 30, 31, 32 which areinsertable into the copying light path. The corrections applied at thepreexamining stage 6, are transmitted through the line 33, to theillumination control arrangement 29, when the respective original to becopied is present in the copying window 19.

In the lower portion of FIG. 1, there is shown shcematically theunwinding reel 34 and the take-up reel 35 for the copy material as wellas the applicable transport rolls36, 37.

FIG. 3 illustrates the principle and concept of an electronic controlmeans 39-58 operative for receiving and transmitting further thecorrections to the illumination control arrangement of the copyingmeans, as well as the components and circuits for carrying out theillumination program. The corrections are inserted into the keyboard 38,through keys 9, 10, I1, 12 and 13 for each original to be copied. Foreach original, moreover, less than five keys keys can be selected forinserting corrections. In order to simplify the processing of theinformation, the data is coded through the combination of three signals,since eight different elements of information can-be obtained from thecombination of three elements, as is known in the art. A codingarrangement 39 is provided for this purpose of coding the signals. Thiscoding arrangement 39 is designed in the conventional manner. At thesame time, the coding arrangement also includes a decoding arrangementin order to decode from a first partial storage unit 40 the insertedinformation from the keyboard 38 by lighting, for example, a pluralityof lamps.

The first partial storage unit 40 is designed through conventionalelectronic storage design technique, and is composed of three flip-flopsfor each original to be examined in the pre-examining station 6.Accordingly, for ten originals at this preexamining station, there are30 flip-flops. I

The storage unit 40 can be fed from the keyboard 38 and the codingarrangement 39, as well as from a line 41 which transmits a" specialsignal for indicating that a splice on the film lies within thepreexamining station 6. The storage unit 40, furthermore,- is connectedto a transfer unit 42 which transmits to a partial storage unit ormemory 43 all of the information bits or words from the storage unit 40.This transfer of information from the storage unit 40 to the partialmemory 43 is performed in parallel and simultaneously so that all bitsof information are transmitted simultaneously and in parallel. Thetransfer unit 42 is controlled through a programmer, to be described,and this unit 42 applies a clearing pulse forthe first partial memory40, and for the first 10 memory cells of the second partial memory becopied at the examining station. Thus, when there are 10 such originalsat the station, 20 storage or memory cells 44 each provided with threeflip-flops is to be set aside for this purpose. Through the applicationof a shift pulse to line 45, the information contained within the memoryis transferred one cell to the right. A clearing pulse transmitted fromthe transfer unit 42, serves to clear the entire shift register. Suchclearing of the shift register serves to set the system to a definitestarting state when a new film roll is to begin.

The illuminating control unit 29 for the copying apparatus is connectedto the last storage or memory cell, whereas the first memory cell'isconnected to a signal emitter which provides a signal that isdistinguished from the coded corrections provided by the coding unit 39,the splice position signal, and the clearing signal. Such a signal can,for example, be in the form of three bits designated as l.

Arranged along the shift register, are sensing circuits with certainmemory cells of the shift'register. Such sensing circuits are located atdifferent positions along the register. The first one of these sensors46 determines whether the three 1 bit signals are present in thetransfer from the eighth to the ninth memory cell. A warning lamp 47 isconnected to the sensing device 46. This connection however, is onlyoperative in a predetermined stage of operation of the programmer forinitiating a film starting procedure. This connection operates onlyduring the last step of the program.

A further sensing or sampling device 48 is connected between the tenthand eleventh storage or memory cells. This sampling unit 48 is connectedto the transfer unit 42 under particular conditions. Finally, twosampling units 49 and 50 are provided after the twentieth memory cell.The sampling unit 49 becomes actuated by signals other than the three 1bit signal, and thereupon turns on the copying motor 28 through a lineprovided for this purpose, upon insertion of a new film. The samplingunit 50 becomes actuated by the splice position signal which arrives atthe memory through the line 41. The unit 51, furthermore, is connectedto a comparator 51 which also receives signals from a splice positionsensing device 52 at the copying window 19. The comparator 51 caninterrupt the shift pulse through the line 45, as well as permit thedelivering of additional shifting pulses. Components 5056 constitutesynchronizing means.

A row of programming elements is required in order to obtain an orderlyand systematic execution of the copying process in conjunction with thestored corrections. This row of programming elements is connected to astarting key 53 which is connected to the motor 16. At the same time,the copying motor 28 is connected to the starting key, underpredetermined conditions. Furthermore, a first counting device 54 isprovided which sums or adds the pulses delivered by the sensing device5. When the count reaches a number corresponding to the number oforiginals stored in the preexamining path, the counter 54 applies asignal to the motor 16 and the transfer arrangement 42. This counteralso applies shift pulses to the memory 43, under predeterminedconditions. The counter 54 becomes cleared through the pulse which isdelivered by the transfer unit 42. A second counter 55 is provided whichalso receives pulses from the sampling device or splice detector means5. This counter, 55 constitutes splice registering means and becomescleared by the sampling device 5 upon sensing of a spliced position,under predetermined conditions, and it sets the memory 40 withinformation on the splice position at the proper location within thismemory 40. A clock 56 is provided for the copying station, and thisclock is connected for applying shift pulses through the line 45. Thekey 57 makes it possible to obtain an automatic run through of the filmstrip without actuating the starting button 53. The programmer 58assures that the required steps in the program are carried out inaccordance with the prevailing state of the starting of the film. Thisprogrammer can be constructed in the form of, for example, a steppingdevice which advances a cam so that the latter actuates four sets ofelectrical contacts in four different positions in sequence.

In operation of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the beginning ofa new film roll 1 which is inserted into the apparatus, is secured to aleader already in the apparatus. The starting key 53 is then actuated.The film strip then runs until the first splice position moves past thesampling or sensing device 5. In this first programming stage, allswitches designated by P are closed. As a result, the signal deliveredby the sensing device 5 as a result of the splice position sensing,serves as clearing pulse by being applied to the counters 54 and 55, aswell as the memory 40 and 43. At the same time, the motor 16 whichserves as the feed motor is started through the starting key 53. Themotor 16 then transports the film through the rolls l4 and 15, until tenpicture or frame markings have passed the sensing device 5. The counter54 has therewith attained its limit value or limit count. Once thiscounter 54 has reached the limit value, it applies a signal to turn themotor 16 off. During the period of time that the counter 54 is inrunning operation, implying the period of time during which the tenpictures or copying frames pass the preexamining station, the counterapplies as many clock pulses to the shift register 43. As a result, thefirst 10 memory cells 44 become filled with a three 1 signal. The 10originals to be copied at the preexamining station can be inspected andthe required corrections can be set through the respective keys. As aresult of the coding circuit, the corrections are inserted into thememory 40, and the indicating lamps in the keyboard 38 light upcorrespondingly through feedback circuits.

After the corrections have been selected, the starting key 53 isdepressed again. With this action, the programmer 58 advances to thestep 2. The connections designated as P, in the diagram become, thereby,open, whereas the connections designated as P become closed. Bydepressing the starting key, the motor 16 starts to run again and thenext 10 originals to be copied are moved again into the preexaminingstation. The copying motor 28 does not yet operate after the first l0originals that were examined are still in the buffer location. The maincounter 54 delivers 10 further pulses to the shift register 43, wherebyof the first ten 111 signals the first reaches the last memory cell,while the second ten 111 signals occupy the first 10 memory cells. Whenthe counter 54 attains the set value of ten, the motor 16 becomesstopped. The pulse of the counter 54 functions simultaneously totransfer the stored corrections in the memory 40 for the first 10originals to be copied, so that these corrections are transferred intothe first 10 storage cells of the shift register 43. The 1 ll signalsbecome thereby replaced in the memory, since another signal is insertedinto each cell of the memory 40 even when the correction keys are notdepressed. This transfer operates, on one hand, for clearing the counter54, as well as the memory 40. The memory 43 receives now in thefirst lmemory cells, the corrections for thelO originals which are present inthe buffer area. The next originals at the preexamining station can nowbe examined and the corresponding corrections can be set.

If,fthereafter, the starting key 53 becomes again depressed, theprogrammer advances to stage 3. All connections designated P become,thereby, closed, whereas all remaining connections remain open. Thestarting key 53 causes again the motor 16 to be'turned on, and the thirdgroup of 10 originals to be copied is brought into the I preexaminingstation. The second group of ten originals to. be copied is led into thestorage means or buffer area, so that now originals to be copied are inthe buffer and the first original reaches the copying station. Theactuation of the starting key, furthermore, has caused the copying motorto start after the sensingunit 49 has sensed a signal other than a 111signal in the last memory cell of the memory unit 43. As a result, thefirst copying process can now take place. After the third group often'originals has entered the preexamining station, the contents of thememory unit 40 become transferred through the counter 54, into thestorage 'cells 1 to 10 of the shift register. The pulse of the sensingunit 49 advances, furthermore, the programmer 48 to the stage P... Thenormal operating position is thereby attained. If, now, the correctionfor the third group of 10 originals is set, the information in the shiftregister is shifted continuously towards. the right, through clockpulses at the copying station 56. The last of the corrections becomes,thereby, followed by 111 signals. If the first one of these reachesthetransfer from the eighth to the ninth memory cell, the sensing device 46becomes actuated and the warning lamp 47 becomes briefly lighted. Theoperating personnel becomes thereby alerted to the condition that thetime available for setting corrections is almost over. After two furtherclock pulses applied to the line 45, the first 11] signal reaches thetransfer from the tenth to the eleventh memory cell. In the position Aof the key 57, all connections designated by A are conducting, and thesensing unit 48 allows the transfer of the contents of the memory 40into the shift register, without any further action on the part of theoperating personnel. A fully automatic operation is thereby attained,since the operating personnel only insert the required corrections intothe keyboard 38, whenever necessary.

interferences which may be incurred during the time that the film is runthrough, may cause the precise synchronization between the flow ofcorrections and the originals to be copied to the copying station 19 tobreak down. Any such error is of much consequence, since all correctionsare then applied to the wrong original, and could be applied for theentire length of the loop in the buffer 17. An automatic testing is,however, possible through the splice position sensing device 5 whichprovides a predetermined signal through the counter 55 into the memory40; the splice has the full length of a normal frame or original. Thispredetermined signal must be established through the sensing unit. or.splice signal detector means 50, simultaneously with the signal emittedby the splice sensing device at the copying window 19. The comparator 51serves as compensation means so that the time delay of the spliceposition signal at the end of the memory 43 in relation to the spliceposition recognition in the copying station provides for shift pulsesthrough the line 45 to be aption signal from the copying station inrelation to the signal from the memory 43, the shift pulses becomeblockeduntil the two splice position signals coincide again in time,under simultaneous further progressing of the copying process. In thismanner, the synchronous operation at each splice position is tested andcorrected, when required.

It is also possible not to apply any individual splice position signalto the memory, but instead only the number of required steps for runningthrough a splice position on the sensing unit 5 until reaching thecopying station. This number is then compared with the number oftransport steps normally required for the originals to be copied.

In place of the electronic memories, it is also possible to usemechanical types of memories in accordance with the design of FIG. 4.The keys for the corrections 9 to 13 actuate, in this case, angledlevers 59, 60 in the conventional manner. These angled levers reach intwo notches of a slider 61 which is movable against a spring 66 byrolling, substantially frictionless, on the rollers 62, 63, 64 and 65.For the purpose of reducing the quantity of information to be stored,only three transfer levers are again provided for five correction keys.These three levers 70 reach into a number of five sliders 61, inaccordance with the coding arrangement. The sliders assume twopredetermined positions of which the deflected position is shown in thedrawing. The other position corresponds to that in which the slider 6]lies against the right housing wall 67a of the housing. In the deflectedposition, the sliders 61 are held by stop levers 68 which reach intocutouts 61a on the slider 61, through the action of springs. If, asshown in the drawing, a slider 61 becomes displaced towards the leftthrough the actuation of the key 11, and by means of the angled levers60, then the stopping lever 68 drops into the cutout 61a and holdsthereby the slider in this position. The arrangement is, furthermore,constructed in the conventional manner so that when one of the otherkeys 9, 10, 12, 13 are actuated or depressed, the key 11 'is releasedand the slider 16 is returned to the right-hand position.

Below the slider 61, a transfer lever 70 is rotatably mounted, and abutsa control edge 610 of the slider, as a result of the action of thespring 71. in the position of the slider 61 shown in the drawing, thislever 70 is positioned in the path of a tipping lever 72, with itsprojection 70a. The lever 72 is rotatablymounted on a roll-shaped member73 between two end positions within which the lever 72 is movable. Theseend positions are determined by stop pins 74 and 75. The lever 72 isin-contact with a star-shaped member in the form of an over .dead centerspring 76 which causes the lever 72 to press-against one of the two stoppins 74, 75. 30 such tipping levers 72 are provided on the circumferenceof the rolls73 and on three axles or shafts in the direction of the rollaxis. Each of the levers 72 serves to store one bit or one unit ofinformatiomThe bearing" or pivot points of the tipping levers 72 aredisplaced from each other by When the roll 73 is advanced in thedirection of the arrow 77, the projection 70a of 4 the lever 70 holdsthe tipping lever 72 fixed in position,

and brings it into its other end position. The rounded 4 portion of thelever projects then over the periphery of 9 the roll 73 and may besensed as an information carrying element.

For sensing purposes, each of the levers 72 is provided with a switch78, such as a microswitch. Three of these switches are present in thedirection perpendicular to the plane of the drawingcorresponding to anumber of levers 72 in one line, for each original in the preexaminingstation. Between the projections of the levers 72 to be sensed .and theswitch actuator 78a, a sensing control roller 79 is provided. A transferlever 80 is pivotally mounted along the edge of this roll 79, and isheld against the force applied by a spring. If the lever 72 isdeflected, then it turns the transfer lever 80 in a counterclockwisemanner, so that the other arm of the lever 80 contacts the roller oractuator 78a of the switch and actuate this element. I

Only three transfer levers 80 are mounted on the sensing control roll79. These levers serve for sensing the corrections applicable to anoriginal. The bearing or pivot axis of the lever for the next originalis dis placed relative to the previous one by one-tenth of thecircumference of the roll, or 36. The transfer lever for the thirdoriginal is then displaced a still further 36 from the previous lever.

A clearing unit is still further arranged between the sampling stationand the input position. This clearing unit is in the form of a rotatableroller 81 upon which a cam 82 is arranged. The roller 81 is coupled tothe roller 73, by means of a gear train having a gear ratio of 3 I. If,now, the roller 73 is advanced, the cam 82 comes into contact with partsof the lever 72 projecting from the rim surface of the roller 73. Thelevers 72 become thereby returned into the other position as a result ofthe higher rim speed. In this other position of the lever 72, they donot project beyond the periphery of the roller. A further roller 84 isalso connected to the roller 81, through an intermediate gear, forexample. The roller 84 has an eccentrically located pin 85 whichdeflects the stopping lever 68 so that the slide 61 is returned to itsinitial position, through the action ofthe spring 66.

In operation of the memory device of FIG. 4, a correction applicable toan original present at the preex' amining station is inserted by, forexample, depressing the key 11. The slider 61 is moved, thereby to itsdeflected position, through the angled lever 60. The edge 610 takesalong the transfer lever 70 into a position in which the projection 70areaches into a tipping lever 72. In this phase of operation, thecorrection is stored through the stopping or locking lever 68, but thecorrection cannot becleared. If, now, another key is depressed, and theslider corresponding to this key is brought into its initial position,then the tipping lever 72 also remains in its initial position. Firstwhen the roller 73 becomes advanced, a situation which correspondsfunctionally to the transfer of the corrections from the memory 40 intothe storage units 43 and 53, do the levers 72 become transferred inposition and held in that position through the spring 76. After reachinga position upon rotation of 120, the corrections are not, as yet,needed, since the corresponding originals are still in the first half ofthe buffer. After a further transfer pulse, after which the correctionsfor the next ten originals have been inserted, the roller 73 rotates afurther 120, and becomes located in the sensing position. If, from thispoint on, the lever 80 is the first one of thirty successively locatedlevers, then this lever transfers the first information unit regardingthe correction for the first original of this group of ten originals, tothe switch 78. At the same time, two additional transfer levers whichare behind that one, serve to deliver the two remaining corrections.After termination of the original associated with these corrections, theroller 80 becomes advanced by 36, so that the next three levers 80 comeinto contact with the tipping levers 72 and the associatedmicroswitches. In this manner, the roller 80 executes a completerevolution during the ten originals. The termination of the rotationserves to release through conventional means as, for example, cam means,a rotation of the roller 73 by As a result, the transferred tippinglevers 72 are returned to their initial position through the cam 82, andthe depressed keys become also released through the eccentric 85. Thekeys released by the eccentric, clear information on correctionsapplicable to originals which are behind two groups of ten which arealso cleared by the cam 82.

In place of the electronic and mechanical memories described above, itis also possible to use other conventional memories, particularly thosethat may be cleared as, for example, magnetic tape or magnetic cores.

It is also not necessary that all correction keys be provided for eachoriginal. When using two hands, it is sufficient when an addressing keyis provided adjacent the original, for one hand, and a set of correctionkeys is provided for the other hand. This second key can be eitherdepressed simultaneously or subsequently with a self-holding mechanism.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofphotographic copying apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied inphotographic copying apparatus, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may bemade without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A copying arrangement, comprising in combination a copying stationincluding copying means for copying originals; an examining station forplacing a batch of n originals to be copied simultaneously on view forvisual inspection by an operator; exposurecorrection setting means atsaid examining station for setting exposure-correction values fororiginals viewed at said examining station; storage means for storingoriginals to be copied; first transport means for transporting batchesof n originals periodically and with a first frequency through saidexamining station for batchwise inspection and thereafter into saidstorage means; second transport means for transporting originalsnumbering less than n periodically and with a seccluding sensing meansat the entrance of said examining station for sensing the passage ofsaid originals into said examining station; counter means connected tosaid sensing means and counting the number of originals sensedby' saidsensing means; and stopping means connecting said counter means to saidfirst transport means for stopping the latter when a predeterminednumber of originals have been sensed by said sensing means.

3. An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein saidexposure-correction setting means comprises n distinct setting meanslocated at said examining station and spatially disposed incorrespondence to the disposition of originals displayed at saidexamining station.

4. An arrangement as defined in claim 2, including second counting meansfor counting the number of originals passing into said copying station;and means connecting said second counting means to said first transportmeans for re-initiating operation of the latter when a predeterminednumber of originals'have passed into said copying station.

5. An arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said control meanscomprises a first memory connected to said n distinct setting means,operative during the stay of one batch of originals at said examiningstation, for registering the respective exposure-correction values inindividually resettable manner, whereby to permit rectifying of wronglyset values during the stay of the respective batch at said examiningstation, and also a second memory, operative at the end of the stay of abatch at said examining station, for registering the exposure-correctionvalues registered in said first memory and for subsequently transmittingsuch values to said copying means in coordination with the arrival atsaid'copying means of the respective originals associated with suchvalues.

6.v The copying arrangement as defined in claim wherein said values aretransferred in parallel from said first memory to said second memory,said transfer taking place so that all values are transferredsimultaneously.

7. The copying arrangement as defined in claim 5, said second memoryhaving a memory capacity corresponding to the capacity of said storagemeans.

8. An arrangement'as defined in claim 5, wherein said control meanscomprises electronic logic circuitry, said second memory being'a shiftregister, and means for triggering said-shift register once each time anoriginal is copied 'by said copying means. i

9. An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said shift registercomprises a plurality of memory units arranged in succession, andwherein said control means further comprises means for causing the firstof said shift register memory units to register a value distinguishablefrom said exposure-correction values.

10. An arrangement as defined in claim 9, the originals to be copiedbeing arranged in strips connected by splices to form longer strips, andsaid first memory having n memory cellsyand further includingsynchronizing means comprising splice detector means at said copyingstation for detecting the arrival of a splice, splice registering means,operative when a splice is located at said examining station, forcausing a respective one of said memory cells of said first memory toregister a splice value representative of the existence of a splice, andsplice value detector means responsive to registration of a splice valueby the last memory cell of said shift register.

11. An arrangement as defined in claim 10, said synchronizing meansfurther comprising compensation means for terminating triggering of saidshift register when the last memory cell of said shift registerregisters a splice value without said splice detector means detectingthe arrival of a splice, and for effecting additional triggering of saidshift register when said splice detector means detects arrival of asplice without registra'tion of a splice value by the last memory cellof said shift register.

12. An arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein saidcompensationmeans is further operative for overriding any exposure-correction valuesapplied to said copying'means when said last cell of said shift registerregisters a"splice value without said splice detector means detectingthe arrival of a splice.-

13. An arrangement as defined in claim 10, wherein said spliceregistering means includes auxiliary countingmeans operative forcounting the number of originals entering said examining station fromthe time of entry of a splice until the stopping of said first transportmeans by said stopping means.

14. An arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said control means ismechanical and wherein said first memory comprises a slider operativelyconnected to and activated by said exposure-correction setting means anda set of first levers connected to said slider and assuming any of aplurality of positions corresponding to the setting of saidexposure-correction setting means, and wherein said second memorycomprises a plurality of mechanical bistable elements each being movableinto one of its two stable positions by a respectively associated one ofsaid first levers.

15. An arrangement as defined in claim 14, wherein said bistableelements comprise pivoting levers and spring means for maintaining eachof said pivoting levers' in either one of two stable positions.

16. An'arrangement as defined 'in claim, 14, wherein said storage meansis capable of accommodating 2n originals, and wherein said bistableelements are arranged in groups of three'on coaxial rotating disks andspaced apart on each disk by angles of 17. An arrangement as defined inclaim 16, wherein said coaxial rotating disks and first transport meansare so connected that when a batch of n originals is moved out of saidexamining station, said rotating disks turn by 120. and saidfirst'levers effect a change of position of at least some of thebistable elements located on the respective 120 of the coaxial disks.

18. An arrangement as defined in claim 16, wherein said control meansfurther includes mechanical readout means including a plurality ofmicroswitches arranged to be activated by those of said bistableelements which occupy respective predetermined ones of their respectivepairs of stable positions. I

19. An arrangement as defined in claim 18, wherein said control meansfurther comprises mechanical clearing means including a rotating camlocated proximal to the circumference of said coaxial rotating disks andoperative during rotation of said coaxial disks for returning saidbistable elements to predetermined ones of their respective pairs ofstable positions as said elementspass by said clearing means.

transmission gear connecting said rotating cam and said coaxial rotatingdisks, and an eccentric cam arrangement operative for effecting a returnof said slider 20. An arrangement as defined in claim 19, wherein to itsinactivated positionsaid mechanical clearing means further includes a

1. A copying arrangement, comprising iN combination a copying stationincluding copying means for copying originals; an examining station forplacing a batch of n originals to be copied simultaneously on view forvisual inspection by an operator; exposure-correction setting means atsaid examining station for setting exposure-correction values fororiginals viewed at said examining station; storage means for storingoriginals to be copied; first transport means for transporting batchesof n originals periodically and with a first frequency through saidexamining station for batchwise inspection and thereafter into saidstorage means; second transport means for transporting originalsnumbering less than n periodically and with a second higher frequencyfrom said storage means into said copying station; and control meanscooperating with said setting means for applying saidexposure-correction values to said copying means in coordination withthe arrival at said copying station of the respective originalsassociated with such values.
 2. The copying arrangement as defined inclaim 1 including sensing means at the entrance of said examiningstation for sensing the passage of said originals into said examiningstation; counter means connected to said sensing means and counting thenumber of originals sensed by said sensing means; and stopping meansconnecting said counter means to said first transport means for stoppingthe latter when a predetermined number of originals have been sensed bysaid sensing means.
 3. An arrangement as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid exposure-correction setting means comprises n distinct settingmeans located at said examining station and spatially disposed incorrespondence to the disposition of originals displayed at saidexamining station.
 4. An arrangement as defined in claim 2, includingsecond counting means for counting the number of originals passing intosaid copying station; and means connecting said second counting means tosaid first transport means for re-initiating operation of the latterwhen a predetermined number of originals have passed into said copyingstation.
 5. An arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said controlmeans comprises a first memory connected to said n distinct settingmeans, operative during the stay of one batch of originals at saidexamining station, for registering the respective exposure-correctionvalues in individually resettable manner, whereby to permit rectifyingof wrongly set values during the stay of the respective batch at saidexamining station, and also a second memory, operative at the end of thestay of a batch at said examining station, for registering theexposure-correction values registered in said first memory and forsubsequently transmitting such values to said copying means incoordination with the arrival at said copying means of the respectiveoriginals associated with such values.
 6. The copying arrangement asdefined in claim 5 wherein said values are transferred in parallel fromsaid first memory to said second memory, said transfer taking place sothat all values are transferred simultaneously.
 7. The copyingarrangement as defined in claim 5, said second memory having a memorycapacity corresponding to the capacity of said storage means.
 8. Anarrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said control means compriseselectronic logic circuitry, said second memory being a shift register,and means for triggering said shift register once each time an originalis copied by said copying means.
 9. An arrangement as defined in claim8, wherein said shift register comprises a plurality of memory unitsarranged in succession, and wherein said control means further comprisesmeans for causing the first of said shift register memory units toregister a value distinguishable from said exposure-correction values.10. An arrangement as defined in claim 9, the originals to be copiedbeing arranged in strips connected by splices to form longer strips, andsaid first memory having n memory cells; and further includingsynchronizing means comprising splice detector means at said copyingstation for detecting the arrival of a splice, splice registering means,operative when a splice is located at said examining station, forcausing a respective one of said memory cells of said first memory toregister a ''''splice'''' value representative of the existence of asplice, and ''''splice'''' value detector means responsive toregistration of a ''''splice'''' value by the last memory cell of saidshift register.
 11. An arrangement as defined in claim 10, saidsynchronizing means further comprising compensation means forterminating triggering of said shift register when the last memory cellof said shift register registers a ''''splice'''' value without saidsplice detector means detecting the arrival of a splice, and foreffecting additional triggering of said shift register when said splicedetector means detects arrival of a splice without registration of a''''splice'''' value by the last memory cell of said shift register. 12.An arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein said compensation meansis further operative for overriding any exposure-correction valuesapplied to said copying means when said last cell of said shift registerregisters a ''''splice'''' value without said splice detector meansdetecting the arrival of a splice.
 13. An arrangement as defined inclaim 10, wherein said splice registering means includes auxiliarycounting means operative for counting the number of originals enteringsaid examining station from the time of entry of a splice until thestopping of said first transport means by said stopping means.
 14. Anarrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said control means ismechanical and wherein said first memory comprises a slider operativelyconnected to and activated by said exposure-correction setting means anda set of first levers connected to said slider and assuming any of aplurality of positions corresponding to the setting of saidexposure-correction setting means, and wherein said second memorycomprises a plurality of mechanical bistable elements each being movableinto one of its two stable positions by a respectively associated one ofsaid first levers.
 15. An arrangement as defined in claim 14, whereinsaid bistable elements comprise pivoting levers and spring means formaintaining each of said pivoting levers in either one of two stablepositions.
 16. An arrangement as defined in claim 14, wherein saidstorage means is capable of accommodating 2n originals, and wherein saidbistable elements are arranged in groups of three on coaxial rotatingdisks and spaced apart on each disk by angles of 120*.
 17. Anarrangement as defined in claim 16, wherein said coaxial rotating disksand first transport means are so connected that when a batch of noriginals is moved out of said examining station, said rotating disksturn by 120* and said first levers effect a change of position of atleast some of the bistable elements located on the respective 120* ofthe coaxial disks.
 18. An arrangement as defined in claim 16, whereinsaid control means further includes mechanical read-out means includinga plurality of microswitches arranged to be activated by those of saidbistable elements which occupy respective predetermined ones of theirrespective pairs of stable positions.
 19. An arrangement as defined inclaim 18, wherein said control means further comprises mechanicalclearing means including a rotating cam located proximal to thecircumference of said coaxial rotating disks and operative duringrotation of said coaxial disks for returning said bistable elements topredetermined ones of their respective pairs of stable positions as saidelements pass by said clearing means.
 20. An arrangement as defined inclaim 19, wherein said mechanical clearing means further includes atransmission gear connecting said rotatinG cam and said coaxial rotatingdisks, and an eccentric cam arrangement operative for effecting a returnof said slider to its unactivated position.